Orange Herb Vinaigrette

 

This is the new rage in vineger-based dressings in food magazines. Some recipes call for an entire orange to be chopped and placed in a food processor, TALLblonde says pits and pith are bitter and would rather not include them.  This takes a ordinary child's brown bag school lunch fruit into a luxurious and versatile  punch of mouth-watering head turner for your mouth. A bushelful of fresh herbs modifies the sweetness of the orange presents a salty-sweet refreshing concoction that not only makes an excellent salad dressing over a variety mix of salad greens but the perfect robe over fresh fish or grilled summer vegetables.  Try my recipe first before you waste your time on theirs, HA!

Sweet Heat Sloppy Joe

 

A cool cole slaw crunch using a vinegar/sugar based dressing sprinkled with ground red chili flakes, yup the one you get in packets with your pizza, turns a simple sammy into an event. This recipe uses ground turkey instead of beef which is a healthier alternative but the sweetness of the turkey meat compliments the sweet and acidic slaw. It is also a nice economical option as today's beef prices continue to skyrocket.

Use your classic Sloppy Joe loose meat sandwich recipe, switch out beef for turkey and make your own coleslaw (recipe below). TALL blonde always toasts the buns and presses down the bun center to make room for more filling.

Caesar On Steroids

A truly great Caesar dressing is one of the most crave-worthy creations in the kitchen—rich with parmesan, bold garlic, savory anchovy, and the unmistakable depth of Worcestershire sauce. These timeless ingredients come together as pure flavor magic, creating a dressing so irresistible you may never look at bottled condiments the same way again. One taste, and even your French fries will be dumping ketchup begging for a drizzle.

But this version takes the classic to an entirely new level. It’s bold, creamy, intentionally salty, and finished with the slow-building heat of your favorite hot sauce that lingers pleasantly on the tongue. The result is a dressing so addictive it transforms everything it touches—from crispy fries to a humble cheese sandwich tucked inside a crusty sourdough roll. It has even been known to be the dip of choice for Buffalo Wings. Once you make it, you’ll start finding excuses to put it on everything.

Pulled Pork and Coleslaw Sammy

This recipe started with a bit of sticker shock at the grocery store. While making my shopping list, I noticed a two-pound lean pork roast cost barely half as much as a single pound of ground beef. A post-pandemic dilemma—right up there with paying fifteen bucks for a dozen eggs.

I’d never made pulled pork before, and honestly, I’d never been impressed by most versions I’d tried elsewhere. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and build something packed with flavor from the ground up. It’s a simple, no-fuss dish that simmers away in the crockpot and fills the kitchen with rich, savory aromas.

This isn’t a recipe for beginners. The measurements are loose—more a reflection of memory than precision—since I was eyeballing everything as I went, from the pork seasoning to the coleslaw dressing. Trust your palate, adjust to your liking, and make it your own.

Green Goddess

Once I discovered Green Goddess Dressing, I look for it every chance I get. It is a collection of fresh herbs of your choice, The base is mayonnaise or you can use yogurt has a fresher and healthier option and some savory flavor punches.  The process is simple as you dump all ingredients in a blender and in 10 seconds you have a flavorful concoction that is great on salads, grilled fish or roasted potato, vegetables and an excellent dip.. The original recipe was invented at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco in 1923 and was very simple, parsley was the only herb used. Do not skimp on the tarragon as this is the backbone of Green Goddess flavor. TALL Blonde recipe below was created on using what I had available in the fridge and it turned out to be a perfect flavor profile.

Party Skewer Salads

 

I am going to admit it right here, right now, I borrowed this from AllRecipes. But hey, when there is a great idea it should be shared.  These salads are clever, attractive on any table, easy to eat and if you are throwing a party you can serve several different salad variations with ease. If your party guests are standing while attempting to eat, than these salad recipes eliminate the balancing act of placing one hand on the paper plate, one hand on the fork and balancing a glass of wine on their head. Served on long sandwich length toothpicks with a colored frill or 5-inch bamboo skewers.

So fasten your seatbelt, there are 11 recipes to race through and I am sure you will find two or three you will try at your next party-

Tater Salad Dressing

 

Completely packed with flavor and a little heat, TALLBlonde not only uses this for potato salad but it makes a tasty tuna sandwich. It has also become my favorite tartar sauce for deep fried fish, just add 2 tsp. dried tarragon.  I suggest emptying a full jar of mayonnaise and refilling the jar with this great creamy creation, double the recipe.

One cup of this dressing is perfect for 1 large potato or 2 medium potatoes.  Peel potato, cut into one-inch dice and boil in salted water until soft in the center but before it falls apart in the boiling water.  Drain and mix in dressing while potatoes are warm so dressing soaks in.

Tabbouleh - ISRAEL

 

Three part recipe series on dishes found in Israel.  There are more self described vegetarians and vegans in this country than any other single country in the world, true fact. 

This recipe is a classic Tabbouleh traditionally made with cracked bulgar wheat.  I make this recipe with Quinoa as a gluten free option. So good, you will serve it in a martini glass.

5 Ingredients

TALLblonde plans on giving this out as holiday gifts in 2019. I have tried numerous recipes and they are all EASY to prepare, no special COOKING SKILLS, many dishes prepared in 15 MINUTES. Most recipes are measured to serve 2, so this means dinner for one with leftovers. Many recipes will also feed four servings. This QUICK and EASY cookbook by "The Naked Chef" Brit-born Jamie Oliver is not the quick and easy bland gut bombs of the past.  These recipes actually taste GRRREAT!

TALL Blonde Cobb

TALL Blonde makes this dinner-sized salad when she is feeling REALLY hungry.  It takes a little time to prep each component but invite the neighborhood and make a big batch!

Slam Brussel Sprouts

I hate Brussel Sprouts, PERIOD!

Until . . . . . . . .

I had tasted the brussel sprouts a friend ordered over dinner at Tyler Florence's San Francisco Restaurant, Wayfare Tavern. These are truly a foodie fantasy. I now always insist my dining companion orders them and they thank me for the recommendation.

I have recreated to the  best of my ability their formula and they taste 99.9% perfect. These have a sweet acidity of pomegranate-balsamic vinegar syrup glaze topped with bacon jam. This is served as a traditional side, or incorporate it into your favorite "kitchen sink" salad where everything is added from the fridge and tastes fantastic.

Salsa Noodles

Perfect for a meal on a hot day, and you may already have the recipe.

I was inspired, (more curious really) to take a mango-corn salsa recipe among my growing collection of favorites and decided to mix it into cold Asian noodles for a refreshing pasta salad and it worked. My noodles were sweet, sour, crunchy and spicy, a  wonderful combination.  Here is the ingredient list in case you don't already have a recipe of your own.

Live-Long-Time Salad

"Eat Less, Live Longer" is the mantra of UCLA professor and research scientist  Dr. Roy Walford. Here is his low calorie salad that is very high in nutritional value as seen on "Scientific American Frontiers" with Alan Alda. Watch online the 5 segments presented on their episode titled "Fat and Happy? original air date May, 1 2001. It will cause you to re-consider your choices in your daily meal planning and why not; it will keep you out of the doctor's office, reduce aches and pains as you age and feel more vibrant.

VIDEO--> "Eat Less, Live Longer" (click here)

Curry Chicken Salad

Honey Curry Chicken Salad with Ginger, Almonds, Grapes and Celery.

An old classis and still wildly yummy for the tummy.

Coleslaw Dressing

MMMMmmmore....

Orange Candied Walnut Salad

Salpicon (Ceviche)

Cold Chinese Noodles